Phnom Penh (VNA) - Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism Thong Khon – who also serves as permanent vice-president of the national organising committees for the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games (CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC) - has affirmed that the country’s preparations have been making good progress and the committees fully expect the Kingdom will be well-positioned to succeed as hosts.
The number of athletes, coaches and staff sent by 11 regional countries to the events will be 12,404 in total. Thousands of fans and international tourists are also expected to arrive in Cambodia for the Games.
All forces of the CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC, capital-provincial administrations and all relevant authorities have been cooperating actively and closely in carrying out their duties with a high sense of responsibility, Khon was quoted by The Phnom Penh Post as saying.
He said everything is moving towards a glorious success for the honour and prestige of the country as the host for the first time.
According to the minister, there will be more than 5,000 law enforcement officers on duty as well as 3,000 medical workers to maintain security and public order and carry out emergency medical treatment.
For the opening and closing ceremonies, around 1,000 artists and 2,000 athletes and soldiers have been rehearsing to perform together in a grand spectacle with coordination by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
There are approximately 5,000 volunteers signed up for the SEA Games and 2,000 volunteers for the ASEAN Para Games, he said, adding that all of them were selected and trained by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).
Five locations in Cambodia have been prepared to host the games including Phnom Penh capital (the Morodok Techo National Stadium, Olympic National Stadium, and Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre) and the provinces of Kep, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap.
Cambodia will host the 32nd SEA Games from May 5 to 17, 2023 and 12th ASEAN Para Games from June 3 to 9, 2023./.
